Want to switch? I switched! Here’s some switching tips from a switcher!

Today, when I visited MacUser, I witnessed evidence that a computer can cause an intelligent man to lose his mind. Larry, a law firm marketing consultant, evidently went slightly off the deep end of frustation after switching to a Mac. The article he wrote, telling us not to sit under the Apple tree, has already been talked about and ridiculed, so I will spare you the dirty details.

Larry seemed distraught over the small tasks that didn’t seem to work the same in Mac OS X as they did in Windows. As a new Mac user myself, I know even the smallest differences can be a bit frustrating. However, with a few deep breaths and a little patience, you can easily avoid those raging, hair-pulling episodes.

Here are a few things I learned that might help you when you’re getting started:

1. Yes! You Can Right Click!
Not only can you right click, but there’s a few ways to do it!

1. Tap with two fingers on your trackpad! I know it sounds strange, but when you get used to it, you’ll love it!
• Go To System Preferences
• Choose Keyboard & Mouse
• Choose the trackpad tab
• Check “Tap trackpad using two fingers for secondary click”

2. Press Ctrl key and tap trackpad
3. If you’re using a mouse, press the Ctrl key and the click mouse button.

2. What About Keyboard Shortcuts?

The Command key, also know as the Apple key (the one with the Apple logo on each side of the spacebar) is one of the most important keys when mastering the Mac keyboard, as it is the source of a lot of the important menu options.
(Command + N = new window, Command + S = Save, etc).

3. Hey, I Thought I Closed That Window!

One of the first differences I noticed is that when you click the red x at the top of the window of an opened application, it closes the window, but doesn’t actually shut down the program. No problem! There are a few ways to quit the application:

1. Press Command Key + Q
2. Right click on the application icon in the dock and choose Quit from the pop up menu
3. Use the Application Menu at the top left of your screen and choose Quit
4. Hold down Command key, press Tab and you will see a horizontal menu of only open applications. You can tab through them all by continuously pressing the Tab key. To close one, stop on it (highlight), and press Q

4. I Miss The Windows Programs Menu

Anytime you want to add an application to the dock for quick access, you can do so by dragging it’s icon from the applications folder into the dock.
However, if you want to simulate the Windows way of finding all your programs from a pop up menu, you can create something similar:

1. Open up the finder window (square face icon in the dock) and highlight your hard drive icon from the top left
2. In the main (right) window, you will see all the folders on the drive. Find the Applications folder
3. Now drag the Applications folder down to the dock and put it to the left of the trash can, and to the right of the separator line (basically where it allows you to put it). This creates an alias (shortcut) to your Applications folder in your dock.
4. Now, if you right click (see number 1 above) on the Applications shortcut you created in the dock, a pop up menu of all your programs, similar to Windows, will appear.

5. Don’t Get Frustrated! There’s Help Available!

Mac OS X is easy to use, but it’s different than Windows, and you have to adjust a little and learn a few new things. That should be exciting though, not frustrating!
If you do get stuck on something, there are a few ways of finding a solution:

1. Check out the help menu/index at the top of your screen
2. Go to the Apple site, they have great tutorials, manuals, and tips
3. Search for help on Mac forums and blogs. There are a ton of friendly, knowledgeable Mac users willing to help.

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Recently, I found someone detailing how to manually edit system files to cool down your Macbook. Even with detailed instructions availble, it was unknown territory for me and I was worried that I might somehow trigger an opposite effect and melt down my notebook. Needless to say, I decided against it. Besides, the heat of the Macbook comes in handy now and then for some of us, right?

When I saw that a developer had turned the idea into an easy to use, downloadable application, I jumped at the chance to try it. It’s simple to install, includes a read me file with detailed instructions and concerns, and best of all, it works! My Macbook is so cool now, and I control it!

Developer’s Site Direct Download

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My Black Mac was born too late for the million dollar homepage. I deal with it, taking it one day at a time.

I toyed with the idea of trading one black paperclip for a macbook, but it probably wouldn?t have worked out as well as the red one did, so I let that one go too.

Well, it?s my time now! I will be a part of 50blinks and secure a spot on the miniblinks sidebar! Does that make me a MiniBlinker? If yes, then so be it! I will say it loud and proud! Once I?ve claimed my fame and fortune, I may even print up some T-Shirts that read ?My Dirty Black Mac is a MiniBlinker!? and sell them to?.well?..I?ll figure that out later, I?m too excited right now!

Thanks to Mac Recon for showing me the way. Find out how 50blinks works and get your free spot now just for mentioning them on your blog! It?s about being part of a blinkin? movement, people!

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As if it wasn’t hard enough to find a decent Mac compatible poker game! Now that the Internet poker ban is official, at least two of the big Mac-friendly poker sites (Party Poker and Pacific Poker) have closed it’s doors to US citizens.
How are Macheads going to afford to buy Apple accessories if they can’t gamble? Luckily, poker is safe for now here in Canada, but if you’re an American, there’s still hope for you too!

As I briefly mentioned before, I play poker at PokerStars (one of the giants in the poker industry) and they have issued a statement claiming that they are keeping their US customers, and continuing business as usual. Unfortunately, PokerStars do not have downloadable Mac software, but if you install Windows XP using Parallels like I did, you can play there as well as at any other card room that is available for Windows users.

However, if purchasing XP and Parallels would dig too deep into your gambling stash, there are still ways to go all in on your Mac! Several poker sites have a Java client available so you can play online without downloading any software. Personally, I prefer downloadable software. On the few Java versions I’ve tried, the graphics seem lame and I also experienced very slow response times.

Poker News recommends playing at 6 popular poker sites that will not ban US citizens:

1. PokerStars
2. Full Tilt Poker
3. Absolute Poker
4. Mansion Poker
5. Bodog Poker
6. Poker.com

Full Tilt Poker is your best choice for Mac, in my opinion. Their software is no half-baked Apple java-compatible program that you’ll find on other sites. Plus, you can often play with some of the best poker pros in the world, including Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, and Howard Lederer to name just a few!

If you are new to online poker, you may want to read how to choose a site as well as a detailed list of Mac poker site reviews . To learn sharpen your game, visit 2+2 forums and PocketFives.

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After having spent ample quality time in Photoshop, a bigger widescreen display to accompany my macbook is at the top of my wishlist. The longing for a 23-incher (only because the Apple 30″ is not compatible) has put a spell on me, and at times I spend up to 3 hours vigorously refreshing the Apple Store display page, hoping that the prices will decrease.

Ultimately, I need an extra display sooner than later. Unfortunately, the decision making has been delayed due to recent reviews of models that are seemingly comparible to the Apple displays, except they are for sale at a considerably lower price.
For example, Dell, as Scott from Mac User points out, has released a stripped down version of a previous 20″ model (that is apparently as good as Apple’s at a lower cost ) that will be selling for only $289!

Apple’s 20″ and 23″ are currently selling for $699, and $999.

The purpose of a bigger display, for me, is to work on graphics and photo editing, so I don’t want to get just any screen, and I also want to be sure the compatibility is seamless with my Macbook.

I’m extremely happy with my recent switch to Mac, and I have read nothing but good things about the Apple displays, so I am definitely leaning in that direction. It’s just this slight nagging feeling of being ripped off when you see the other brand’s low prices that makes it hard.
Although, when I stand in front of the slick design of the Apple cinema display, those feelings tend to subside. Maybe I just need to break down and let go of the cash next time I visit the local Apple store?

If Apple would get to work on Alexome’s idea of a detachable display for the macbook, then all my worries would be over. I’d have to buy that!

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